Illuminated filling nozzle



I Feb. 16, 1937. c, TODD r AL 2,071,242

ILLUMINATED FILLING NOZZLE Filed March 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Inventor;

Feb. 16, 1937. 'H. c. TQDD. ET AL ILLUMINATED FILLING NOZZLE Filed March19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Inuentow /7 d//"/6Z/7 C Edd Pad/E 39M.JZaZcZ q A Attomey Patented Feb. 16, 1937 ELLUF/HNATED FEELING NOZZLEHarlan (3. and Paul Todd, Martin, S. Dak.

Application. March 19, 1935, Serial No. 11,847

5 Claims.

This invention relates to illuminating filling nozzles.

One of the objects of the invention is to devise a fitting forattachment to a valve controlled nozzle for dispensing gasoline in whichis mounted a source of illumination so that the interior of the gasolinetanks being filled may be seen by the operator.

Another feature of the present invention is to devise a thoroughlyinsulated mounting in the device so as to eliminate any possibility offrom short circuits or sparksin the device.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of thecharacter referred to that strong, compact and durable, thoroughlyreliable for its intended purpose, design-ed particularly for attachmentto outlet nozzles, that is easily assembled and disassembled from thenozzle, and cornparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of anovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein is disclosed an embodiment of theinvention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, andmodifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit ofthe claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a valve controlled filling nozzleillustrating an adaptation therewith of a device in accordance with thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the attachment.

Figure 3 is a radial section through one branch of the attachment takensubstantially on line 3-3 of Figure l and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the light support removed from the onebranch.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the reflecting sleeve.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates the outlet conductor ofa filling nozzle A of the conventional character used in dispensinggasoline. The filling nozzle includes a valve El operating in responseto the stem 9 which stem is controlled by the lever ifl rockably on apin it and this pin is mounted in a hand guard l2 carried by the nozzleA. The rear end of the nozzle A is customarily connected with a flexiblepipe l3 which conveys the gasoline being dispensed from V the pump. Thenozzle A is customarily inserted in the neck on the gasoline storagetank of the automobile and by pressing the lever- It the gasoline isdispensed therethrough.

The fitting of the present invention is indicated generally at B andthis fitting is substantially V-shaped and includes the stem I4 and thetwo branches l5 and I6. The branch 16 is on the same axis as the stem Il so that the source of illumination, to be presently described, willrefiect light out through the open end of the stem at through which thegasoline passes. The rear end of the stem merges with the branch and theinner end of this branch I5 is formed with an interiorly threaded flangell that is detachably secured to the free end of the noz- A. The branchl6 merges with stem 84 slightly above the juncture of the branch passageI511 and the stem passage l la, so that the source of illumination maybe mounted and confined solely in the branch l8 so as not to interferewith the passage of the gasoline from passage l5a, and out through stempassage Ma. The gasoline from the nozzle A passes through branch I5 intothe stern it and out through the open end of the stem. The branch 65 andthe branch 16 are disposed at an angle with respect to each other.

Where the branch l5 joins or merges with the stem 54 there is an outsetshoulder IS on the branch 16 which forms a ledge on the interior ofbranch IS on which rests the rubber strip IS. The interior of branch [6forms the light chamber Ita above the shoulder. There is a lens 20supported on the rubber strip l9 which lens is plane on the outer faceand convex on the inner face. In the light chamber mounted co-axialtherewith is a light reflecting sleeve 2|, the inner end of which restsupon the margin of the plane face of the lens 20.

Resting on the other end of the sleeve 2| is a fibre insulating disk 22having a marginal flange 23 conformably fitting the end of therefiector. In the center of the disk 22 is supported a light socket 224in which is detachably connected the light bulb 25. So as to insureperfect insulation there is mounted a knob 2r: of sealing Wax about theouter end of the plug and through the sealing wax knob 26 extends theelectrical conductor wires 21, 28. To hold the electric light supportingdisk 22 there is a bowl shaped cap 29 threadably connected with the end01' the branch it as at 353. In the crown of the cap 29 there is mountedin an opening therein, the

screw bushing 3| formed with a central opening through which theelectrical conductor wires extend. The inner face of the disk support 22reflects the light and the sleeve 2| also reflects light directly downthrough the stem l4 so that light will be thrown into the gasoline tankfor the convenience of the operator.

We propose to use a low voltage in the device and for this purpose weuse an ordinary flashlight bulb 25. To insure the utmost safety weinstall in the electrical conductor wires 21, 28 a safety fuse that willdisrupt the current in event of any short circuit. The electricalconductor wires 21, 28 lead to a transformer (not shown) whichtransformer may be connected with the lighting circuit of a fillingstation (not shown). By coupling the light bulb 25 with a low voltagecircuit, utmost safety is insured so that no short circuit or sparks arelikely to cause fire when dispensing the gasoline.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a valve controlled filling nozzle of a Y-shapedpipe fitting including a stem and two branches, one of said branchesbeing disposed on the same axis as the stem, the end of the other branchbeing adapted for attaching to the filling nozzle, and an electric lightmounted and confined solely in the other branch for directing light intothe stem.

2. A valve controlled filling nozzle including a conductor having thedischarge end equipped for detachable connection to another conductor;the combination with the aforesaid elements of a Y-shaped tubularfitting including a stem and two branches, an outset shoulder formedabout the juncture of one branch with the stem and on the interiorthereof, the assembly of elements constituting a source of illuminationreceiving their support at one end from said shoulder, a cap detachablyconnected with the free end of said one branch cooperating with theaforesaid assembly of elements to retain said assembly confined solelywithin said branch in supported relation on said shoulder, and means onthe free end of the other branch for detachable connection to the nozzleconductor.

3. In combination, a filling nozzle for inflammable fluids equipped withan attaching means on the discharge end, a substantially Y- shapedfitting including hollow branches and a hollow stem, one branch providedwith a fitting on its free end adapted for detachable connection withthe aforesaid attaching means, said one branch and stem forming anoutlet passage for the inflammable fluid, and a source of illuminationmounted and sealed within the other branch above the juncture of thestem and said one branch in a manner to reflect light through the freeend of the stem.

4. In combination with a dispensing nozzle for inflammable fluids of afitting detachably connected at one end with the nozzle and formed witha passage through which inflammable liquids are discharged from thenozzle, said fitting having a hollow branch joined thereto andcommunicating with the passage in a direction diverging therefrom, and asource of illumination mounted in and confined in the branch above thejuncture in a manner to reflect light through the free end of thefitting.

5. In combination with a dispensing nozzle for inflammable fluids havinga hollow passage for discharging fluid of a hollow branch joined withthe nozzle and communicating with the discharge passage, said branchdisposed in a direction diverging from the path of flow through thenozzle, and a source of illumination mounted and confined in the branchabove the juncture in a manner to reflect light through the free end ofthe nozzle.

HARLAN C. TODD. PAUL R. TODD.

